The election has arrived! Across the country, people are casting their votes as we brace ourselves for one of the most chaotic elections in recent American history.

Current polls indicate that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are in a tight race, making it a suspenseful time for the nation, with a record turnout of voters expected.

What we are beginning to witness is the collective desire of voters for the future of the country. Whether you agree or not, your choice of candidate signifies your endorsement of their entire persona and values. Everything.

Opting for Trump implies your support for him and his MAGA movement. Choosing Harris indicates your approval of her track record and progressive stance. This notion prompted me to reach out to the YSL News Opinion Gen Z columnists for their insights on what voting for Harris or Trump reflects about one’s beliefs.

Dace Potas, representing conservative views, will discuss Harris’s implications, while Sara Pequeño, a progressive voice, will analyze what voting for Trump entails.

Voting for Harris? You accept a failed immigration strategy and the push for progressive policies.

If you choose to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, you are endorsing the record set over the last four years. This choice means acceptance of a continuing border crisis, endorsement of risky economic strategies, and support for four more years of chaotic foreign relations.

The progressive elements from the Biden administration that have led to declining approval rates will likely persist, if not worsen, under Harris, especially given her extreme past.

Harris has played a significant role in maintaining the image of Biden’s decreasing capability in leading. Acknowledging that the President may not be fit for reelection suggests that Harris must have had a more substantial influence within the administration than previously assumed.

I recognize Trump poses a significant threat to the nation, but Harris equally represents a comparable danger. Our international adversaries are seizing every opportunity to enhance their power, even launching measures against our allies. Economically, the strain on working-class Americans remains dire. The influx of migrants has overwhelmed our borders while Harris has contributed little during her four years in office.

Even staunch progressives, who are her core support group, may struggle with her attempts to position herself as an Israel-supporting, gun-owning, pro-police Democrat.

Harris’s frequent shifts in stance have made it hard to recognize her current platform compared to her 2020 presidential campaign pledges.

Personally, I won’t be voting for either Trump or Harris. Despite my strong disagreements with Trump and believing he should not hold public office, the option given by the Democrats fails to persuade me to vote for Harris.

While I understand the motivation to vote against Trump, those supporting Harris need to confront the reality of what they are backing: four more years of the same ineffective policies both domestically and internationally.

Voting for Trump means you accept election deceit and the possibility of a felon as president.

Throughout my life among Republicans, I understand that a faction of the GOP may dismiss my concerns regarding Trump. Nevertheless, I believe there exists a larger segment within the party that recognizes what a second term for Trump could mean for the nation they cherish and the political party they uphold.

While many may recall portions of Trump’s presidency favorably, or at least with some tolerance, I urge you to remember the reality of who he is as you approach the polls. If you choose to cast your vote for him, be honest about what that vote represents.

In 2019, Trump faced impeachment due to his attempts to pressure Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into investigating a political competitor. He has consistently blamed Zelenskyy for the Russian invasion.

During his time in office, Trump did not publicly support Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict. He expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and welcomed Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán to Mar-a-Lago, while claiming to have a friendly relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

At the conclusion of his presidency, Trump left behind a persistent COVID-19 crisis and 400,000 fatalities in the U.S. Additionally, he incited a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol shortly before exiting office, which resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including police officers. He has since described this event as “peaceful” and still denies losing the 2020 election.

Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices, contributing to the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a fact he has taken pride in.

In May, a New York jury convicted him on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. He is now a convicted felon.

A vote for Trump means supporting his tariff strategy, which experts warn could negatively impact the global economy and raise costs for consumers. It also signals approval for Project 2025, a comprehensive 922-page plan from the Heritage Foundation for another Trump presidency, which he claims he is unaware of.

This does not even touch on the rise in racism and hate-filled rhetoric that he appears to believe resonates with his supporters.

Voting for Trump means endorsing another four years of disorder. It’s uncertain if the nation can withstand it.

In the end, voters will choose the next president

After being fed fears and negativity about which presidential candidates pose a threat to the nation’s future, it’s now time for voters to make their choice.

Will voters opt for Harris and her progressive policies? Or will Trump reclaim the presidency and rally the MAGA movement? The answers will emerge soon as voters evaluate these candidates and determine who they wish to stand with.

The time for decision-making has arrived. Just be truthful about what your choice signifies.